NOW UNTO HIM WHO IS ABLE
E PHESIANS 3:20-21
Text: Ephesians 3:20
Ephesians 3:20
20
Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all
that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us,
Introduction:
In these verses we see the majesty of our glorious God,
and they teach even more about who we are, and what
we have in Jesus Christ.
1. THIS IS A STATEMENT ABOUT GOD’S
GREATNESS
Ephesians 3:10
10
To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in
heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold
wisdom of God,
Thank God, there is help for those who desire His
power. There is help for those who want to know His
awesome love. There is help for those who want to
show that same awesome love to others. There is help
for all those who desire to know the Lord in His
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fullness! This verse tells us about the source of that
help.
A. The Greatness of His Ability
The word “able” means, “to be capable, strong and
powerful.” Our God is a God Who possesses “all power
in Heaven and in earth.
Matthew 28:18
18
And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is
given unto me in heaven and in earth.
God is the God of Creation
Colossians 1:16-17
16
For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that
are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or
dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by
him, and for him: 17 And he is before all things, and by him all
things consist.
God is the God of Revelation
Ephesians 1:9
9
Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according
to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself:
God is the God of Salvation
Galatians 2:20
20
I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but
Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I
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live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave
himself for me.
God is the God of Resurrection
Revelation 1:18
18
I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for
evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death.
God is Able
B. The Greatness of His Abundance
Paul says that God is “able to do exceeding abundantly
above all we ask or think.” The phrase “exceeding
abundantly above” had the idea of, “going above and
beyond.” God’s ability exceeds the lengths to which our
minds can think. His ability goes beyond the limits of
what we can ask.
Thank God, there are no limits to His power! He can
move mountains, change lives, lift burdens, meet
needs, and He can change the lives of substandard
saints and transform them into vessels of honor for His
glory. That is just a small glimpse of how great our Lord
is.
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2. THIS IS A STATEMENT ABOUT GOD’S
GRACE
Ephesians 3:20
20
Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all
that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us,
The grace of God is the ground of our salvation.
Because the Lord extended His grace toward us, He
loved us. He put us in His eternal plan. He sent His Son
to die for us on the cross. He sent the Gospel message
to us. He sent the Spirit of God to convict us. He saved
us when we called upon Him. And, His grace continues
to sustain us day by day and moment by moment.
2 Corinthians 12:9
9
And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my
strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I
rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest
upon me.
The grace of God also works in our lives to help us
accomplish is will in the world. Paul gives us some
insights into the way the grace of God works in our
lives.
A. His Grace Empowers Us
Paul tells us that the Lord is “able to do exceeding
abundantly above all we can ask or think, according to
the power that worketh in us.” This phrase simply
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reiterates what I have already said, God empowers His
people to live for Him.
B. His Grace Enlivens Us
The power to live for the Lord comes from Him, but it
comes from within. How is that possible? It is possible
only because He lives in us. When He saved us, the
Spirit of God came into us with power for God;s glory.
He empowers us by enlivening us. He empowers us by
imparting His life to us.
His grace empowers us for service. His grace enlivens
us for living. Thank God for grace!
3. THIS IS A STATEMENT ABOUT GOD’S
GLORY
Ephesians 3:21
21
Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all
ages, world without end. Amen.
Paul ends this by making a grand statement about the
glory of God. Notice what he says about God and His
glory.
A. The Place of His Glory
In the church.
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This phrase reminds us that the church exists for the
sole purpose of bringing glory to God. He is glorified in
the church, because the church is made of of sinners
who have been saved by His grace. He loved us when
we deserved to be cast into Hell. He reached out to us
in love and grace and drew us to Himself. He saved us
when we called on Him by faith, and He changed our
lives.
Now, as we live for Him and honor His Word, He
receives glory from the church. As we love Him and
love one another, He is glorified. As we preach the
Gospel and gather for worship, He is glorified. As we
sing, pray, work, and serve in the church, He is
glorified.
Everything we do at the church should be done with a
view to bringing glory to the Lord.
B. The Permanence of His Glory
This glory that God receives through the church, and
through His Son the Lord Jesus Christ, is not a fleeting
glory. Paul says that it will last “through out all ages,
world without end.” That phrase literally means “unto
all the generation of the age of ages.” God will be
receiving glory from His church, because of His Son,
when the end of time comes and eternity flows into
eternity.
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Close:
Johann Sebastian Bach said, “All music should have no
other end and aim than the glory of God and the soul's
refreshment; where this is not remembered there is no
real music but only a devilish hub-bub.”
At the top of every composition, he wrote the letters:
“J.J.” Those initials stand for “Jesus Juva,” which means
“Jesus help me.” Bach ended every composition with
the letters “S.D.G.” Those letters stand for “Soli Dei
gratia” which means “To God alone the praise.”
Bach had the glory of God at the heart of every piece of
he authored.
God Who is Able.
That same desire should dwell each of our hearts.
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